A supporter of others, Chris now needs our support
Donation protected
Over a month ago Chris had mentioned his leg was hurting after shoveling snow and thought it was a charlie horse. A couple of days later, he was in the ER with a life threatening condition. The doctors said he had necrotizing fasciitis, or more commonly known as a flesh eating bacteria.
His condition was so severe that he had to have his right leg amputated a few inches above the knee along with major areas of the rest of his leg and abdomen removed in order to keep the infection from spreading. Removal of tissue is the only way to keep the bacteria from spreading the doctors said. As the bacteria was spreading in his body, Chris went into septic shock and his condition worsen. The doctors said he was really sick and didn't know if he'd make it. His body was shutting down and his vitals were in dangerous territory. The surgery was mainly successful in stopping the infection but his body was fighting to stay alive. His kidneys failed and he was on a constant dialysis machine. It was an intense few days, but his vitals slowly started to improve. As his numbers and vitals were getting better, he was still motionless and we were looking for signs of improvement. It was an incredible moment when he nodded after we asked if he could hear us. The doctors have had to do multiple surgeries to clean, monitor, and align for his on-going treatment.
Today, Chris is recovering in the burn unit at the hospital and has a long road of recovery. Many surgeries for removal of dead skin and skin grafts. The doctors said that he isn't completely out of the woods because his kidneys aren't where they'd like them to be but are hopeful. The Coronavirus is another big threat to his recovery because of his diabetes and weakend immune system, we're hoping the hospital isn't affected by it. Since Friday, no visitors have been allowed so Chris is alone at the hospital. We're hopeful that this will pass soon so we can be with him again. With all that has happened Chris is still able to laugh, crack jokes, and thank every single person he encounters. The timeline for his hospital stay, rehabilitation, and just adjusting to his new reality will be many months.
Chris has been a part of the recovery community for many years and has found his mission in life to help others. He has a gift of talking and many people have been vocal about how Chris has shown up for them. As we were in the hospital with Chris, many of his recovery friends have mentioned how he was instrumental in their own recovery and how he has affected so many in a very positive way. Its a testament to Chris' dedication in helping others. There's no award, money, or recognition in being there for others but Chris isn't helping to be recognized. For over a decade Chris continued to show up for others at least 4 nights a week. It's time to help Chris in this time of need.
He has already been mailed his first round of medical bills. The future is looking like it could be 10's of thousands of dollars, if not more. We all want to see Chris heal and walk again, unfortunately after looking into this further, it's looking like the cost of a prosthetic alone may well reach over $100,000. Your will support will also help with his monthly living expenses like his mortgage and utilities, on-going care, alterations to his home and vehicle, and more.
We hope you're inspired and moved to help such a courageous person who's given so many hours, days, and months to others. We greatly appreciate all that you can do for Chris and spreading this gofundme page. If each one of you are willing to share this gofundme campaign on your page, think of how we could help Chris! It's only a matter of a couple of clicks.
You're kindness and support will never go unnoticed.
Thank you!
His condition was so severe that he had to have his right leg amputated a few inches above the knee along with major areas of the rest of his leg and abdomen removed in order to keep the infection from spreading. Removal of tissue is the only way to keep the bacteria from spreading the doctors said. As the bacteria was spreading in his body, Chris went into septic shock and his condition worsen. The doctors said he was really sick and didn't know if he'd make it. His body was shutting down and his vitals were in dangerous territory. The surgery was mainly successful in stopping the infection but his body was fighting to stay alive. His kidneys failed and he was on a constant dialysis machine. It was an intense few days, but his vitals slowly started to improve. As his numbers and vitals were getting better, he was still motionless and we were looking for signs of improvement. It was an incredible moment when he nodded after we asked if he could hear us. The doctors have had to do multiple surgeries to clean, monitor, and align for his on-going treatment.
Today, Chris is recovering in the burn unit at the hospital and has a long road of recovery. Many surgeries for removal of dead skin and skin grafts. The doctors said that he isn't completely out of the woods because his kidneys aren't where they'd like them to be but are hopeful. The Coronavirus is another big threat to his recovery because of his diabetes and weakend immune system, we're hoping the hospital isn't affected by it. Since Friday, no visitors have been allowed so Chris is alone at the hospital. We're hopeful that this will pass soon so we can be with him again. With all that has happened Chris is still able to laugh, crack jokes, and thank every single person he encounters. The timeline for his hospital stay, rehabilitation, and just adjusting to his new reality will be many months.
Chris has been a part of the recovery community for many years and has found his mission in life to help others. He has a gift of talking and many people have been vocal about how Chris has shown up for them. As we were in the hospital with Chris, many of his recovery friends have mentioned how he was instrumental in their own recovery and how he has affected so many in a very positive way. Its a testament to Chris' dedication in helping others. There's no award, money, or recognition in being there for others but Chris isn't helping to be recognized. For over a decade Chris continued to show up for others at least 4 nights a week. It's time to help Chris in this time of need.
He has already been mailed his first round of medical bills. The future is looking like it could be 10's of thousands of dollars, if not more. We all want to see Chris heal and walk again, unfortunately after looking into this further, it's looking like the cost of a prosthetic alone may well reach over $100,000. Your will support will also help with his monthly living expenses like his mortgage and utilities, on-going care, alterations to his home and vehicle, and more.
We hope you're inspired and moved to help such a courageous person who's given so many hours, days, and months to others. We greatly appreciate all that you can do for Chris and spreading this gofundme page. If each one of you are willing to share this gofundme campaign on your page, think of how we could help Chris! It's only a matter of a couple of clicks.
You're kindness and support will never go unnoticed.
Thank you!
Co-organizers (2)
Scott Holmquist
Organizer
Shorewood, MN
Sue Holmquist
Beneficiary
Olea Hatch
Co-organizer